Learning the lingo, mastering the moves and personal progress are just a few of the obstacles Clinton senior Quindale Faulkner has faced over the past two years as a member of the Dark Horse wrestling team.

All of the training, sweat and tears paid off in the end as Faulkner signed his letter of intent to hit the mat with a division III Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla.

“My main priority while at Bacone College is to get my degree in early childhood education, but wrestling is always something that I want to do for fun,” Faulkner said of his opportunity to leave one small town and head to another.

Bacone College, which transitioned from a junior college to a four-year establishment back in 2001, has completed six seasons thus far. In those seasons, the Warriors’ wrestling team has been ranked in the top 10 nationally and has shaped 16 All-Americans.

Bacone College is in the Red River Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

This season, Faulkner said he will be wrestling in the 141-pound weight class.

“They had a lot of 141s last year that will be moving up. The coach asked if I could get down to 133, but there is no way I can do that,” Faulkner shared.

Although Faulkner wrestled in a lower weight class his junior year, the senior said it is not only impossible for him to reach 132 again, but the National Wrestling Coaches Association officials also govern such a weight drop due to health concerns.

“It’s tough because he does not have enough body fat,” explained Clinton wrestling coach Frank Quinata. “He could not get past 134 this year because he doesn’t have any body fat to lose.”

Faulkner, who started in the lower weight class two years ago, said he worked out during the months leading up to the 2009-10 season to build up muscle weight in order to advance him to the 140 weight class.

Over the course of the season, Quinata said his athlete did very well after finishing third in the regional match after going 4-1, placing in the top 10 at states after going 1-2 and making it to the second round of the state duals.

“In only his second year of wrestling, that is very good,” Quinata lauded. “He went from 1-26 to 29-10, which peaked the Bacone College coach’s interest.”

Quinata went on to say Faulkner received the most compliments this season from rival coaches in the 2-A East Central Conference.

Faulkner was also one of two (Darren Thomas) to qualify for the state match.

It was Thomas, Faulkner admitted, who motivated him the most this year. In return, the senior said he hopes he inspired the middle weight classes (130-152).

“He (Faulkner) has the greatest achievement and improvement I have ever seen in a wrestler,” Quinata complimented. “In two years, he worked very hard. He kept everyone motivated, but at times had to be pushed as well, but that push paid off in the end. I think he will do excellent, if he listens to the coaches.”

Because hard work pays off, Faulkner reminded the team he is leaving behind to practice everyday.

“To do better, you have to wrestle a higher weight class because when you do face your own competition, you’ll be stronger and faster,” Faulkner suggested.

In addition to preparing for the upcoming season at Bacone College, Faulkner said he will spend the summer in basic training for the National Guard. Following, he will continue his drills in Oklahoma.

Before making the commitment to attend Bacone College, by gliding the pen along the line marked by the “X,” Faulkner thanked his family and friends.

“I would like to thank my grandparents, Charles and Marie Faulkner, for their support; and my twin brother, Quintin, for practicing with me. They really pushed me,” he shared.

As Faulkner awaits basic training this summer and his big move to Oklahoma, the senior said there is a lot he will miss about Clinton.

“The main thing I am going to remember is the great coaching. When I got injured, I learned ways to deal with the pain. I also will remember my great teammates. We were very competitive and pushed each other a lot. It was just a great program,” he finished.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@heartlandpublications.com.